Red Bull’s chief, Christian Horner, has strongly reprimanded Toto Wolff, his counterpart at Mercedes, advising him to address the problems within his struggling team instead of trying to entice Max Verstappen, the reigning world champion, away from Red Bull.
Verstappen clinched victory in the Chinese Grand Prix with a dominant display from pole position, marking his fourth win out of five races this season and putting himself in a strong position to secure his fourth world championship. His exceptional command of the race was evident as he consistently outpaced the competition by nearly a second per lap.
Mercedes has encountered difficulties since the regulatory changes in 2022, with Lewis Hamilton finishing ninth and George Russell finishing sixth in China. Wolff has openly stated his desire to recruit Verstappen, who is currently under contract with Red Bull until 2028, as a replacement for Hamilton, who will be joining Ferrari next season.
After winning in Shanghai, Horner straightforwardly stated that Wolff should concentrate on internal matters to resolve issues, firmly asserting that his driver was staying and there was no justification for Verstappen to leave.
“I don’t think Toto’s problems stem from his drivers,” Horner commented. “He has other priorities to focus on rather than pursuing unavailable drivers. Mercedes is currently trailing behind their customer teams. It would be more beneficial for him to address team issues rather than the driver market. Sometimes it’s just about creating noise.
“I can assure you there’s no uncertainty about where Max Verstappen will be next year. I don’t know how many times Max can reaffirm that he’s staying. Today, we’ve exceeded Mercedes in terms of races won in the modern era. So, the team is performing strongly. Why would anyone want to depart?”
Despite being under contract, Verstappen has not definitively ruled out a move recently, stating before the race that he desires a “peaceful and calm environment” when questioned about his future with Red Bull. This statement may have been significant given the controversy surrounding the team earlier in the season when Horner faced allegations of misconduct from a female Red Bull employee.
Although the accusation was dismissed following an internal inquiry, it is currently under appeal and may potentially proceed to an employment tribunal. Additionally, there are concerns regarding the effectiveness of Red Bull’s engine intended for use in the 2026 season.
Following the Chinese Grand Prix, Wolff hinted that Verstappen was carefully considering various factors in determining his future.
“There are numerous factors that influence a driver’s decision,” he stated. “While it’s evident that the fastest car with the fastest driver seems logical, I believe there’s more to it than just that. Perhaps some individuals consider other aspects as well? I think Max possesses that level of depth.
“Will we persuade him? I don’t see it as a matter of persuasion. Max has an unparalleled understanding of motorsport and will make decisions that he deems beneficial for himself.”
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